IMF PodcastsFri, 18 May 2018 15:22:56 +0000Wed, 23 May 2018 23:51:34 +0000Libsyn WebEngine 2.0http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/survey/so/podcast.aspx
enhttp://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/survey/so/podcast.aspxIMFPODCASTS@IMF.org (IMFPODCASTS@IMF.org)http://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/a/3/5/2/a35221e0f440750a/1400x1400-Libsyn-podcast_1.jpgIMF PodcastsIMF Podcastscleanbedwards2@imf.orgepisodichttp://imfpodcast.imfpodcasts.libsynpro.com/rssZhi Yong Heng: Investment in Africa is About to ExplodeFri, 18 May 2018 15:22:56 +0000With public debt on the rise in sub-Saharan Africa, boosting the private sector has become more important than ever. Zhi Yong Heng is a private investor for TLG Capital, an investment firm that focusses on equity opportunities in Africa. In this podcast, Heng says investors are missing out on great investment opportunities because of misperceptions of the risks and the business environment in the region. The latest Regional Economic Outlook for sub-Saharan Africa devotes an entire chapter on private investment.

]]>With public debt on the rise in sub-Saharan Africa, boosting the private sector has become more important than ever. Zhi Yong Heng is a private investor for TLG Capital, an investment firm that focusses on equity opportunities in Africa. In this podcast, Heng says investors are missing out on great investment opportunities because of misperceptions of the risks and the business environment in the region. The latest Regional Economic Outlook for sub-Saharan Africa devotes an entire chapter on private investment.

]]>17:31cleanfullSub-Saharan Africa’s Economic Outlook: Growth on the RiseTue, 08 May 2018 09:45:00 +0000The latest Regional Economic Outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa shows a modest uptick in growth largely driven by stronger global growth and higher commodity prices. In this podcast the IMF’s Papa N’Diaye, says it’s time to implement reforms that will firm up the recovery. The study shows growth picking up from 2⅔ percent in 2017 to 3½ percent in 2018. N’Diaye heads the team of IMF economists who write the report and he says the uptick is good news for the region which has been experiencing a slowdown in economic growth over the last few years.]]>The latest Regional Economic Outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa shows a modest uptick in growth largely driven by stronger global growth and higher commodity prices. In this podcast the IMF’s Papa N’Diaye, says it’s time to implement reforms that will firm up the recovery. The study shows growth picking up from 2⅔ percent in 2017 to 3½ percent in 2018. N’Diaye heads the team of IMF economists who write the report and he says the uptick is good news for the region which has been experiencing a slowdown in economic growth over the last few years.]]>13:32cleanfullParaguay’s Lea Giménez Duarte: Transparency Pays OffThu, 26 Apr 2018 21:31:55 +0000When people trust their government, good things happen. They’re much more likely to pay their taxes and support those large infrastructure investment projects that help economic growth. A new IMF paper on the institution’s role in governance issues shows that high corruption means less growth and more inequality. In this podcast, Lea Giménez Duarte talks about how Paraguay has benefited from a transparency law introduced in 2015. Giménez Duarte is Paraguay’s first ever woman finance minister, and joined a panel about transparency and corruption during the IMF World-Bank Spring Meetings.

Lea Giménez Duarte is Paraguay’s Finance Minister

]]>When people trust their government, good things happen. They’re much more likely to pay their taxes and support those large infrastructure investment projects that help economic growth. A new IMF paper on the institution’s role in governance issues shows that high corruption means less growth and more inequality. In this podcast, Lea Giménez Duarte talks about how Paraguay has benefited from a transparency law introduced in 2015. Giménez Duarte is Paraguay’s first ever woman finance minister, and joined a panel about transparency and corruption during the IMF World-Bank Spring Meetings.

Lea Giménez Duarte is Paraguay’s Finance Minister

]]>10:50cleanfullGlobal Financial Stability Report: Volatility, Protectionism Raising RisksWed, 18 Apr 2018 12:26:00 +0000The Global Financial Stability Report, or GFSR, is published twice a year and looks at the risks facing the global financial system. The objective is to prevent future crises by highlighting policies that might help mitigate some of those risks. In this podcast, the IMF’s Fabio Natalucci suggests investors stay attuned to risks associated with rising interest rates and protectionism. Natalucci heads the team of economists who write the overview chapter of the GFSR. The report also looks at crypto-assets for the first time.

Fabio Natalucci, is a Deputy Director in the IMF's Monetary and Capital Markets Department.

]]>The Global Financial Stability Report, or GFSR, is published twice a year and looks at the risks facing the global financial system. The objective is to prevent future crises by highlighting policies that might help mitigate some of those risks. In this podcast, the IMF’s Fabio Natalucci suggests investors stay attuned to risks associated with rising interest rates and protectionism. Natalucci heads the team of economists who write the overview chapter of the GFSR. The report also looks at crypto-assets for the first time.

Fabio Natalucci, is a Deputy Director in the IMF's Monetary and Capital Markets Department.

]]>16:55cleanfullHackathons: New Technologies Can Help Raise Tax Revenue in AfricaFri, 06 Apr 2018 19:33:18 +0000While the word hack sounds nefarious there’s nothing sinister about a hackathon. It is a creative brainstorming event that brings together people from the private sector, government, academia, civil society and technical experts to devise solutions to help governments raise revenues. In this podcast, economist Katherine Baer talks about her recent experience in hackathons in Senegal, Uganda and Ivory Coast, and how new technologies can help those governments collect more taxes.

Katherine Baer, Division Chief, IMF Fiscal Affairs department.

]]>While the word hack sounds nefarious there’s nothing sinister about a hackathon. It is a creative brainstorming event that brings together people from the private sector, government, academia, civil society and technical experts to devise solutions to help governments raise revenues. In this podcast, economist Katherine Baer talks about her recent experience in hackathons in Senegal, Uganda and Ivory Coast, and how new technologies can help those governments collect more taxes.

Katherine Baer, Division Chief, IMF Fiscal Affairs department.

]]>11:15cleanfullRachel Glennerster: The Cost of ConflictFri, 30 Mar 2018 15:28:02 +0000Economic shocks and climate change increase the risk of conflict. If current trends continue, 80 percent of the world’s poorest people will live in fragile states by the year 2030. This means the work of development will increasingly be about how to prevent conflict and how to achieve positive change in post-conflict and fragile states. In this podcast, DfID’s chief economist Rachel Glennerster, says economists need to get better at understanding these risks and predicting conflict. Before joining the UK’s Department for International Development, Glennerster was Executive Director of the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab. She was invited to speak at the IMF where she once worked as an economist.

Rachel Glennerster, Chief Economist of the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development- DfID.

]]>Economic shocks and climate change increase the risk of conflict. If current trends continue, 80 percent of the world’s poorest people will live in fragile states by the year 2030. This means the work of development will increasingly be about how to prevent conflict and how to achieve positive change in post-conflict and fragile states. In this podcast, DfID’s chief economist Rachel Glennerster, says economists need to get better at understanding these risks and predicting conflict. Before joining the UK’s Department for International Development, Glennerster was Executive Director of the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab. She was invited to speak at the IMF where she once worked as an economist.

Rachel Glennerster, Chief Economist of the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development- DfID.

]]>12:39cleanfullLosing Your Cool: How Hotter Days Can Increase Crime and Disrupt Economies Thu, 15 Mar 2018 22:08:58 +0000Some economists would argue that extreme weather can increase criminal behavior by reducing incomes—especially in the agriculture sector. But in this podcast, economist Gordon McCord says the psychological effect of higher temperatures on violent behavior plays a prominent role. McCord is coauthor of a study that uses data from homicides in Mexico spanning 15 years, and considers the impact of a cash transfer program on reducing interpersonal violence on hot days. He presented his research at the 2018 American Economic Association’s Annual Meeting in Philadelphia.

]]>Some economists would argue that extreme weather can increase criminal behavior by reducing incomes—especially in the agriculture sector. But in this podcast, economist Gordon McCord says the psychological effect of higher temperatures on violent behavior plays a prominent role. McCord is coauthor of a study that uses data from homicides in Mexico spanning 15 years, and considers the impact of a cash transfer program on reducing interpersonal violence on hot days. He presented his research at the 2018 American Economic Association’s Annual Meeting in Philadelphia.

]]>16:06cleanfullGood for Women Good for Growth: Closing Nigeria’s Gender GapThu, 08 Mar 2018 14:32:23 +0000Promoting gender equality can be an economic game changer. The IMF’s latest economic review of Nigeria’s economy says closing the gender gap would mean higher growth and productivity, and greater economic stability. In this podcast, IMF economist and coauthor, Monique Newiak, says Nigerian women could help transform the economy given the chance. The report says Nigeria suffers from wide-spread gender inequality and is therefore missing out on a key ingredient to economic success. Newiak says reducing gender inequality could boost growth by one and one-quarter percent on average.

]]>Promoting gender equality can be an economic game changer. The IMF’s latest economic review of Nigeria’s economy says closing the gender gap would mean higher growth and productivity, and greater economic stability. In this podcast, IMF economist and coauthor, Monique Newiak, says Nigerian women could help transform the economy given the chance. The report says Nigeria suffers from wide-spread gender inequality and is therefore missing out on a key ingredient to economic success. Newiak says reducing gender inequality could boost growth by one and one-quarter percent on average.

]]>11:58cleanfullNigeria Exits Recession and Looks Beyond OilTue, 06 Mar 2018 23:39:04 +0000Nigeria’s economy is picking up according to the IMF’s latest economic review. Growth hit 0.8 percent in 2017 after contracting by 1.6 percent in 2016. The report attributes the increase—in part—to the recent recovery in oil prices. But as the country emerges from recession, the IMF’s Amine Mati says following through on planned reforms regardless of oil price swings and upcoming elections, is key to lifting Nigeria’s growth rates to where they should be. Mati heads the IMF team for Nigeria and oversaw this latest economic assessment.

]]>Nigeria’s economy is picking up according to the IMF’s latest economic review. Growth hit 0.8 percent in 2017 after contracting by 1.6 percent in 2016. The report attributes the increase—in part—to the recent recovery in oil prices. But as the country emerges from recession, the IMF’s Amine Mati says following through on planned reforms regardless of oil price swings and upcoming elections, is key to lifting Nigeria’s growth rates to where they should be. Mati heads the IMF team for Nigeria and oversaw this latest economic assessment.

]]>12:39cleanfullJames Cust on Oil Discoveries: Managing Expectations Fri, 23 Feb 2018 16:27:13 +0000Major discoveries of oil and gas deposits have always been cause for celebration in developing countries, in anticipation of the potential financial windfall. But research has shown that countries with abundant revenues from natural resources often tend to have less economic growth and more social problems than do non-resource-rich countries. And in this podcast, World Bank economist James Cust says in many cases, economic growth begins to underperform long before the first drop of oil is ever produced. Cust and David Mihalyi of the Natural Resource Governance Institute, coauthored The Presource Curse, published in the December 2017 edition of the IMF’s Finance and Development magazine.

James Cust is an economist in the Office of the Chief Economist for Africa at the World Bank and an external research associate at the University of Oxford.

]]>Major discoveries of oil and gas deposits have always been cause for celebration in developing countries, in anticipation of the potential financial windfall. But research has shown that countries with abundant revenues from natural resources often tend to have less economic growth and more social problems than do non-resource-rich countries. And in this podcast, World Bank economist James Cust says in many cases, economic growth begins to underperform long before the first drop of oil is ever produced. Cust and David Mihalyi of the Natural Resource Governance Institute, coauthored The Presource Curse, published in the December 2017 edition of the IMF’s Finance and Development magazine.

James Cust is an economist in the Office of the Chief Economist for Africa at the World Bank and an external research associate at the University of Oxford.

]]>11:59cleanfullA Dream Deferred: Inequality Across Generations in EuropeFri, 09 Feb 2018 18:52:32 +0000Incomes for Europe’s youth declined after the 2007 global financial crisis—largely due to unemployment. And while things have recovered somewhat, the trend toward short-term work and less stable jobs has meant incomes have not grown and young people are now more likely to fall into poverty. Meanwhile, Europeans 65 and older have seen incomes increase by 10 percent. New research by IMF staff looks at this Growing Inequality and Poverty Across Generations in Europe, and how it could have long term effects on Europe’s economy. In this podcast, coauthor Alexander Pitt says when the young are better off, we’re all better off.

]]>Incomes for Europe’s youth declined after the 2007 global financial crisis—largely due to unemployment. And while things have recovered somewhat, the trend toward short-term work and less stable jobs has meant incomes have not grown and young people are now more likely to fall into poverty. Meanwhile, Europeans 65 and older have seen incomes increase by 10 percent. New research by IMF staff looks at this Growing Inequality and Poverty Across Generations in Europe, and how it could have long term effects on Europe’s economy. In this podcast, coauthor Alexander Pitt says when the young are better off, we’re all better off.

]]>10:58cleanfullSub-Saharan Africa’s Push to DiversifyFri, 26 Jan 2018 16:39:11 +0000In the new world of lower commodity prices, many sub-Saharan African countries are having to diversify their economies. And while sub-Saharan Africa has had periods of rapid growth, the process by which workers move from low-productivity jobs to better paying higher productivity jobs has been slower than in other regions. The IMF’s latest Regional Economic Outlook for sub-Saharan Africa devotes an entire chapter to studying the potential benefits of a stepped-up diversification agenda. In this podcast, co-author Axel Schimmelpfennig says Africa’s young entrepreneurs should be at the heart of the diversification process.

Axel Schimmelpfennig, IMF Mission Chief for Uganda

]]>In the new world of lower commodity prices, many sub-Saharan African countries are having to diversify their economies. And while sub-Saharan Africa has had periods of rapid growth, the process by which workers move from low-productivity jobs to better paying higher productivity jobs has been slower than in other regions. The IMF’s latest Regional Economic Outlook for sub-Saharan Africa devotes an entire chapter to studying the potential benefits of a stepped-up diversification agenda. In this podcast, co-author Axel Schimmelpfennig says Africa’s young entrepreneurs should be at the heart of the diversification process.

Axel Schimmelpfennig, IMF Mission Chief for Uganda

]]>09:55cleanfullThe Economics of Populism: Cristóbal Rovira KaltwasserFri, 12 Jan 2018 16:16:27 +0000Populism has become a bit of a buzz word of late. It’s often at the very center of debates about politics and elections. But what about the economic implications of populism? That was the subject of a seminar at this year’s American Economic Association’s Annual Meeting. The panel was organized by the IMF’s Antonio Spilimbergo, and included economic heavyweights Dani Rodrik, Raghuram Rajan, and political scientist Cristóbal Rovira Kaltwasser. In this Podcast, Kaltwasser says populism is creeping into economic policy.

]]>Populism has become a bit of a buzz word of late. It’s often at the very center of debates about politics and elections. But what about the economic implications of populism? That was the subject of a seminar at this year’s American Economic Association’s Annual Meeting. The panel was organized by the IMF’s Antonio Spilimbergo, and included economic heavyweights Dani Rodrik, Raghuram Rajan, and political scientist Cristóbal Rovira Kaltwasser. In this Podcast, Kaltwasser says populism is creeping into economic policy.

]]>15:06cleanfullWilliam Maloney: The Innovation ParadoxFri, 05 Jan 2018 14:17:26 +0000While technology is reshaping economies around the world, a recent book published by the World Bank suggests developing countries are missing out on a huge opportunity. In this podcast, economist William Maloney, says the potential returns on investment into Research and Development by developing countries are astounding, and could dwarf international aid flows. Yet, developing country firms and governments invest very little toward realizing this potential. Maloney is Chief Economist for Equitable Growth, Finance and Institutions in the World Bank Group, and co-author of The Innovation Paradox. He was a guest lecturer at the IMF’s Developing Economies Seminar Series.

William F. Maloney is Chief Economist for Equitable Growth, Finance and Institutions in the World Bank Group

]]>While technology is reshaping economies around the world, a recent book published by the World Bank suggests developing countries are missing out on a huge opportunity. In this podcast, economist William Maloney, says the potential returns on investment into Research and Development by developing countries are astounding, and could dwarf international aid flows. Yet, developing country firms and governments invest very little toward realizing this potential. Maloney is Chief Economist for Equitable Growth, Finance and Institutions in the World Bank Group, and co-author of The Innovation Paradox. He was a guest lecturer at the IMF’s Developing Economies Seminar Series.

William F. Maloney is Chief Economist for Equitable Growth, Finance and Institutions in the World Bank Group

]]>13:27cleanfullDrones Proving a Lifeline in RwandaFri, 15 Dec 2017 17:08:51 +0000There are many layers to development. Sometimes there’s a need where the solution is not at all obvious. But other times it’s simply about connecting the dots- when the solution is available but out of reach due to the lack of infrastructure like roads, power lines or telephone wires. Technology is helping connect those dots more than ever before, and the phenomenon has come to be known as leapfrogging. In this podcast, we hear from the people behind Zipline, a start-up that uses drones to make emergency blood deliveries to remote clinics in Rwanda.

]]>There are many layers to development. Sometimes there’s a need where the solution is not at all obvious. But other times it’s simply about connecting the dots- when the solution is available but out of reach due to the lack of infrastructure like roads, power lines or telephone wires. Technology is helping connect those dots more than ever before, and the phenomenon has come to be known as leapfrogging. In this podcast, we hear from the people behind Zipline, a start-up that uses drones to make emergency blood deliveries to remote clinics in Rwanda.

]]>11:36cleanfullDiane Coyle on the Shortcomings of GDPFri, 08 Dec 2017 15:43:50 +0000Gross domestic product, or GDP, is the one statistic that almost everyone knows is used to measure economic growth. But in this podcast, economist Diane Coyle suggests GDP may be a poor measure of prosperity. With all the technological advances in recent years one would expect that economies have become more productive. But when measured in GDP the numbers show the opposite is true. Coyle refers to this phenomenon as the productivity puzzle, and says the mismeasurement of digital activities within the economy has a lot to do with it. Coyle is Professor of Economics at the University of Manchester, and spoke at the IMF Statistical forum on Measuring the Digital Economy.

]]>Gross domestic product, or GDP, is the one statistic that almost everyone knows is used to measure economic growth. But in this podcast, economist Diane Coyle suggests GDP may be a poor measure of prosperity. With all the technological advances in recent years one would expect that economies have become more productive. But when measured in GDP the numbers show the opposite is true. Coyle refers to this phenomenon as the productivity puzzle, and says the mismeasurement of digital activities within the economy has a lot to do with it. Coyle is Professor of Economics at the University of Manchester, and spoke at the IMF Statistical forum on Measuring the Digital Economy.

]]>12:51cleanfullNicholas Stern on Reducing Carbon Emissions: Let’s Get On With ItFri, 01 Dec 2017 15:44:30 +00002 years after 195 countries came together under the Paris Agreement to combat the effects of climate change, leading climate economist Nicholas Stern remains cautiously optimistic. In his landmark report on the impact of climate change published in 2006, Stern warned that the cost of inaction would be far greater for future generations than the costs of actions taken to reduce carbon emissions. In this podcast, Stern says while the world “passed the test” when signing the Paris Agreement, he worries that policy makers will not act quickly enough. Stern joined a panel discussion on the economic and financial issues related to climate change at the IMF World-Bank Annual meetings.

Nicholas Stern, Professor of Economics and Government at the London School of Economics, and Chairman of its Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment.

]]>2 years after 195 countries came together under the Paris Agreement to combat the effects of climate change, leading climate economist Nicholas Stern remains cautiously optimistic. In his landmark report on the impact of climate change published in 2006, Stern warned that the cost of inaction would be far greater for future generations than the costs of actions taken to reduce carbon emissions. In this podcast, Stern says while the world “passed the test” when signing the Paris Agreement, he worries that policy makers will not act quickly enough. Stern joined a panel discussion on the economic and financial issues related to climate change at the IMF World-Bank Annual meetings.

Nicholas Stern, Professor of Economics and Government at the London School of Economics, and Chairman of its Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment.

]]>14:26cleanfullBlockchain’s Peter Smith: The Promise of Virtual Currency SystemsWed, 22 Nov 2017 21:06:48 +0000Blockchain technology is a shared, public ledger of transactions that’s open to inspection but not subject to any form of central control. And while it offers potential for a variety of applications, its most famous is providing the platform for virtual currencies like bitcoin. Peter Smith is co-founder and CEO of Blockchain, and in this podcast, he talks about the evolution of crypto currency financial systems and what it could mean for big data analytics. Smith was the keynote speaker at the IMF’s Fifth Statistical forum on Measuring the Digital Economy.

]]>Blockchain technology is a shared, public ledger of transactions that’s open to inspection but not subject to any form of central control. And while it offers potential for a variety of applications, its most famous is providing the platform for virtual currencies like bitcoin. Peter Smith is co-founder and CEO of Blockchain, and in this podcast, he talks about the evolution of crypto currency financial systems and what it could mean for big data analytics. Smith was the keynote speaker at the IMF’s Fifth Statistical forum on Measuring the Digital Economy.

]]>12:35cleanfullFreelancers Union’s Sara Horowitz on Changing Nature of WorkTue, 21 Nov 2017 16:59:36 +0000For much of the past century the 9 to 5 job with benefits at a firm was what most people associated with financial stability. But as technology reshapes the labor market, more people are branching out on their own. A new report by Freelancers Union says freelancers will be the majority of the US workforce within 10 years if the current trend continues. In this podcast, Sara Horowitz, Executive Director of Freelancers Union, says freelancers are adapting to the changing nature of work.

]]>For much of the past century the 9 to 5 job with benefits at a firm was what most people associated with financial stability. But as technology reshapes the labor market, more people are branching out on their own. A new report by Freelancers Union says freelancers will be the majority of the US workforce within 10 years if the current trend continues. In this podcast, Sara Horowitz, Executive Director of Freelancers Union, says freelancers are adapting to the changing nature of work.

]]>12:14cleanfullKeith Mitchell on Catastrophe Risk Insurance: Time is Not on Our HandsFri, 17 Nov 2017 15:40:01 +0000In September 2017, the Caribbean was hit by the most powerful Atlantic hurricane in recorded history. Irma’s 185 mile per hour winds left several countries devastated. During a seminar on sovereign debt at the IMF World-Bank Annual meetings, Grenada’s Prime Minister and chair of CARICOM, Keith Mitchell, said catastrophe risk insurance could help vulnerable countries mitigate some of the risk from increasingly severe weather patterns.

Keith Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada and chair of the Caribbean Community CARICOM

]]>In September 2017, the Caribbean was hit by the most powerful Atlantic hurricane in recorded history. Irma’s 185 mile per hour winds left several countries devastated. During a seminar on sovereign debt at the IMF World-Bank Annual meetings, Grenada’s Prime Minister and chair of CARICOM, Keith Mitchell, said catastrophe risk insurance could help vulnerable countries mitigate some of the risk from increasingly severe weather patterns.

Keith Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada and chair of the Caribbean Community CARICOM

]]>07:10cleanfullMadhur Deora on India’s Digital Payment BoomThu, 09 Nov 2017 23:20:08 +0000When the government of India last year declared that much of its currency in circulation would cease to be legal tender, digital transactions surged. Mobile payment platforms like PayTM stepped in to fill the void, and in the process­ are providing financial services to millions of people unable to open a traditional bank account. In this podcast, PayTM’s Madhur Deora, says financial technology is having an impact on India’s development. Deora joined a seminar about Fintech, during the IMF World-Bank Annual Meetings.

Contributors:

Madhur Deora, PayTM Chief Financial Officer

]]>When the government of India last year declared that much of its currency in circulation would cease to be legal tender, digital transactions surged. Mobile payment platforms like PayTM stepped in to fill the void, and in the process­ are providing financial services to millions of people unable to open a traditional bank account. In this podcast, PayTM’s Madhur Deora, says financial technology is having an impact on India’s development. Deora joined a seminar about Fintech, during the IMF World-Bank Annual Meetings.

Contributors:

Madhur Deora, PayTM Chief Financial Officer

]]>14:49cleanfullSub-Saharan Africa: The Path to RecoveryMon, 30 Oct 2017 06:55:00 +0000The IMF's latest regional economic outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa suggests the broad-based slowdown in sub-Saharan Africa is easing. In this podcast, co-author Jarek Wieczorek, says growth is up slightly from last year, but so is public debt. "If we maintain the trend we saw in the last 3 years, the debt will become unsustainable in many sub-Saharan African countries.”

Contributors: Jarek Wieczorek, Head of the Regional Studies Division in the IMF’s African Department

]]>The IMF's latest regional economic outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa suggests the broad-based slowdown in sub-Saharan Africa is easing. In this podcast, co-author Jarek Wieczorek, says growth is up slightly from last year, but so is public debt. "If we maintain the trend we saw in the last 3 years, the debt will become unsustainable in many sub-Saharan African countries.”

Contributors: Jarek Wieczorek, Head of the Regional Studies Division in the IMF’s African Department

]]>As new technology rapidly transforms the financial services sector, central bankers are faced with mitigating risks without stifling innovation. But In this podcast, South Africa’s Central Bank Governor, Lesetja Kganyago, says inflation, currency depreciation, and political uncertainty remain his biggest challenges. Kganyago joined a panel discussion on what Fintech means for central banking during the 2017 IMF World-Bank Annual Meetings in Washington.

]]>14:12cleanfullMaurice Obstfeld: What Lies Behind the Global Recovery Tue, 10 Oct 2017 15:30:24 +0000The latest forecasts from the International Monetary Fund show global growth is on the rise. A very different picture from early last year, when the world economy faced faltering growth and financial market turbulence. In this podcast, IMF Chief Economist Maurice Obstfeld, delves into the current trends behind this recent upswing.

Contributors:

Maurice Obstfeld, IMF Director of Research, and Economic Counsellor.

]]>The latest forecasts from the International Monetary Fund show global growth is on the rise. A very different picture from early last year, when the world economy faced faltering growth and financial market turbulence. In this podcast, IMF Chief Economist Maurice Obstfeld, delves into the current trends behind this recent upswing.

Contributors:

Maurice Obstfeld, IMF Director of Research, and Economic Counsellor.

]]>17:49cleanfullIMF iLab: New Space for InnovationFri, 06 Oct 2017 15:41:13 +0000The technological revolution has far reaching implications and is rapidly changing the way the world does business. But technology also offers the potential for finding solutions to some of the challenges facing the global economy. To encourage creative thinking among its economists, the IMF recently opened an innovation lab. In this podcast, Tristan Walker, first iLab Chief, says innovation will help make the institution more agile.

Contributors:

Tristan Walker, Innovation Lab Unit Chief

]]>The technological revolution has far reaching implications and is rapidly changing the way the world does business. But technology also offers the potential for finding solutions to some of the challenges facing the global economy. To encourage creative thinking among its economists, the IMF recently opened an innovation lab. In this podcast, Tristan Walker, first iLab Chief, says innovation will help make the institution more agile.

Contributors:

Tristan Walker, Innovation Lab Unit Chief

]]>11:02cleanfullLaszlo Varro: Climate Change Shaping Energy Policy Mon, 25 Sep 2017 17:09:55 +000080 percent of the world’s energy consumption is based on fossil fuels which account for most of the greenhouse gas emissions that are warming the planet. Climate change is affecting the global economy and has become a defining feature in energy policy making. In this podcast, International Energy Agency Chief Economist, Laszlo Varro, says while efforts to reduce carbon emissions are generally off track, technological progress and investment momentum in the clean energy sector are reasons for optimism.

Contributors:

Laszlo Varro, Chief Economist for the International Energy Agency

]]>80 percent of the world’s energy consumption is based on fossil fuels which account for most of the greenhouse gas emissions that are warming the planet. Climate change is affecting the global economy and has become a defining feature in energy policy making. In this podcast, International Energy Agency Chief Economist, Laszlo Varro, says while efforts to reduce carbon emissions are generally off track, technological progress and investment momentum in the clean energy sector are reasons for optimism.

Contributors:

Laszlo Varro, Chief Economist for the International Energy Agency

]]>12:25cleanfullGaining an Edge with Big DataWed, 13 Sep 2017 14:17:48 +0000Good data and statistics can help drive economies and are the basis for sound policy decisions in both private and public sectors. The advent of ‘big data’ poses opportunities for private companies and public institutions to better understand today`s economic and social trends. A new study by the IMF shows how big data can also provide valuable insight for economic and financial analysis. In this podcast, coauthor Diane Kostroch discusses the benefits and the challenges that come with big data.

Contributors:

Diane Kostroch, IMF economist, Statistics Department.

]]>Good data and statistics can help drive economies and are the basis for sound policy decisions in both private and public sectors. The advent of ‘big data’ poses opportunities for private companies and public institutions to better understand today`s economic and social trends. A new study by the IMF shows how big data can also provide valuable insight for economic and financial analysis. In this podcast, coauthor Diane Kostroch discusses the benefits and the challenges that come with big data.

]]>12:37cleanfullBenno Ndulu: Champion of InclusionWed, 30 Aug 2017 13:55:00 +0000Only a third of adults in sub-Saharan Africa have a bank account, and in this podcast, Tanzania Bank Governor, Benno Ndulu, says the lack of access to financial services is a key constraint on the region’s economic growth. Ndulu is a champion for bringing financial services to the poorest segments of society and as the current Chair of the Board of the Alliance for Financial Inclusion, he has helped pioneer some of the most innovative policy approaches to extending the financial system to the unbanked. This conversation with Benno Ndulu is featured in the September 2017 issue of Finance and Development Magazine.

Contributors: Benno Ndulu, Bank of Tanzania Governor, and Chair of the Board of the Alliance for Financial Inclusion.

]]>Only a third of adults in sub-Saharan Africa have a bank account, and in this podcast, Tanzania Bank Governor, Benno Ndulu, says the lack of access to financial services is a key constraint on the region’s economic growth. Ndulu is a champion for bringing financial services to the poorest segments of society and as the current Chair of the Board of the Alliance for Financial Inclusion, he has helped pioneer some of the most innovative policy approaches to extending the financial system to the unbanked. This conversation with Benno Ndulu is featured in the September 2017 issue of Finance and Development Magazine.

Contributors: Benno Ndulu, Bank of Tanzania Governor, and Chair of the Board of the Alliance for Financial Inclusion.

]]>13:23cleanfullMthuli Ncube: Building Blocks for Africa’s GrowthThu, 17 Aug 2017 13:30:32 +0000While Africa’s workforce expands, the lack of modern and efficient infrastructure is inhibiting economic growth. The prospect of building power plants and transportation networks is daunting for many countries with limited resources, but in this podcast, former Chief Economist of the African Development Bank, Mthuli Ncube, says reducing risks for private sector investors could help Africa build the infrastructure it so desperately needs.

]]>While Africa’s workforce expands, the lack of modern and efficient infrastructure is inhibiting economic growth. The prospect of building power plants and transportation networks is daunting for many countries with limited resources, but in this podcast, former Chief Economist of the African Development Bank, Mthuli Ncube, says reducing risks for private sector investors could help Africa build the infrastructure it so desperately needs.

]]>13:17cleanfullGrowing Pains: Malawi’s Struggle with Hunger, Climate ChangeGrowing Pains: Malawi’s Struggle with Hunger, Climate ChangeThu, 03 Aug 2017 14:44:35 +0000Extreme weather has hit Malawi’s economy hard over the last two years. Severe flooding followed by a drought—the worst in its history—caused widespread crop failure and placed 6.7 million people at risk of starvation. But a remarkable humanitarian effort helped reduce the impact of the drought on the most vulnerable segment of the population. An increase by the IMF to the amount of resources it provides to Malawi, as well as sizable contributions from Malawi’s development partners like the World Food Program and the World Bank, enabled the country to address the worst humanitarian crisis in its history.

In this feature podcast, we hear from the small-scale farmers beset by the effects of climate change, beneficiaries of food aid including school children, and key players within the various agencies who were faced with making tough decisions in the throes of a major food crisis.

Contributors:

Oral Williams: IMF Mission Chief for Malawi

Jack Ree: IMF Resident Representative in Malawi

Goodall Gondwe: Malawi’s Finance Minister

Ben Botolo: Malawi’s Secretary to the Treasury

Coco Ushiyama: World Food Program Representative for Malawi

Roisin DeBurca: Unicef’s Deputy Director for Malawi

Laura Kullenberg: Country Manager for the World Bank in Malawi

Richard Record: Senior Country Economist for the World Bank in Malawi

]]>Extreme weather has hit Malawi’s economy hard over the last two years. Severe flooding followed by a drought—the worst in its history—caused widespread crop failure and placed 6.7 million people at risk of starvation. But a remarkable humanitarian effort helped reduce the impact of the drought on the most vulnerable segment of the population. An increase by the IMF to the amount of resources it provides to Malawi, as well as sizable contributions from Malawi’s development partners like the World Food Program and the World Bank, enabled the country to address the worst humanitarian crisis in its history.

In this feature podcast, we hear from the small-scale farmers beset by the effects of climate change, beneficiaries of food aid including school children, and key players within the various agencies who were faced with making tough decisions in the throes of a major food crisis.

Contributors:

Oral Williams: IMF Mission Chief for Malawi

Jack Ree: IMF Resident Representative in Malawi

Goodall Gondwe: Malawi’s Finance Minister

Ben Botolo: Malawi’s Secretary to the Treasury

Coco Ushiyama: World Food Program Representative for Malawi

Roisin DeBurca: Unicef’s Deputy Director for Malawi

Laura Kullenberg: Country Manager for the World Bank in Malawi

Richard Record: Senior Country Economist for the World Bank in Malawi

]]>42:54clean1456fullEswar Prasad on the Curious Rise of the RenminbiFri, 21 Jul 2017 15:13:12 +0000As China’s economy catches up in size with that of the United States, some predict the renminbi will soon challenge the dollar’s dominance in international finance. But in this podcast, Cornell University’s Eswar Prasad says there are limits to how far China’s currency can go without undertaking significant domestic reforms. Prasad, a former IMF economist himself, was invited to IMF headquarters in Washington to talk about his latest book Gaining Currency: The Rise of the Renminbi

Contributors:

Eswar Prasad, Professor of Trade Policy and Economics at Cornell University, Senior Fellow at the Brookings institution, and author.

]]>As China’s economy catches up in size with that of the United States, some predict the renminbi will soon challenge the dollar’s dominance in international finance. But in this podcast, Cornell University’s Eswar Prasad says there are limits to how far China’s currency can go without undertaking significant domestic reforms. Prasad, a former IMF economist himself, was invited to IMF headquarters in Washington to talk about his latest book Gaining Currency: The Rise of the Renminbi

Contributors:

Eswar Prasad, Professor of Trade Policy and Economics at Cornell University, Senior Fellow at the Brookings institution, and author.

]]>16:13cleanUganda: Rising Debt and the Promise of OilThu, 13 Jul 2017 14:37:29 +0000Drought, regional conflict, and slow credit growth are taking their toll on Uganda's economy. While per-capita growth has hovered around 5 percent for the last 20 years, the IMFs latest economic assessment shows it has fallen to 1/2 percent. In this podcast, the report's coauthor Axel Schimmelpfennig, says some strategic infrastructure investment and Uganda's untapped oil reserves could help turn things around.

Contributors: Axel Schimmelpfennig, IMF Mission Chief for Uganda

]]>Drought, regional conflict, and slow credit growth are taking their toll on Uganda's economy. While per-capita growth has hovered around 5 percent for the last 20 years, the IMFs latest economic assessment shows it has fallen to 1/2 percent. In this podcast, the report's coauthor Axel Schimmelpfennig, says some strategic infrastructure investment and Uganda's untapped oil reserves could help turn things around.

Contributors: Axel Schimmelpfennig, IMF Mission Chief for Uganda

]]>09:38cleanGrowth in the Shadows: Sub-Saharan Africa’s Informal EconomyWed, 28 Jun 2017 14:52:43 +0000By 2035 sub-Saharan Africa will have more working-age people than the rest of the world’s regions combined. This growing workforce bulge will have to be met with jobs, but the region remains one of the toughest places to do business. Meanwhile, small-unregistered household businesses provide up to 90 percent of jobs outside of agriculture. The IMF’s latest Regional Economic Outlook for sub-Saharan Africa devotes an entire chapter on the informal economy, and in this podcast we speak with economist Ali Mansoor, coauthor of the study.

Contributors:

Ali Mansoor, IMF Division Chief for West Africa, and coauthor of the report.

]]>By 2035 sub-Saharan Africa will have more working-age people than the rest of the world’s regions combined. This growing workforce bulge will have to be met with jobs, but the region remains one of the toughest places to do business. Meanwhile, small-unregistered household businesses provide up to 90 percent of jobs outside of agriculture. The IMF’s latest Regional Economic Outlook for sub-Saharan Africa devotes an entire chapter on the informal economy, and in this podcast we speak with economist Ali Mansoor, coauthor of the study.

Contributors:

Ali Mansoor, IMF Division Chief for West Africa, and coauthor of the report.

]]>14:11cleanTayo Oviosu: Technology Draws More Nigerians Into Banking FoldFri, 16 Jun 2017 16:20:55 +0000More than two billion people worldwide are without bank accounts, and only one in three adults in sub-Saharan Africa have access to any type of financial services. But Tayo Oviosu, Founder of Nigeria’s leading mobile payment platform says financial technology—or fintech, is making access to finance possible for millions of un-banked Nigerians.

]]>More than two billion people worldwide are without bank accounts, and only one in three adults in sub-Saharan Africa have access to any type of financial services. But Tayo Oviosu, Founder of Nigeria’s leading mobile payment platform says financial technology—or fintech, is making access to finance possible for millions of un-banked Nigerians.

]]>12:03cleanIan Goldin: Disruptive Changes That Will Transform the WorldTue, 06 Jun 2017 19:08:11 +0000While science and technology propel us into the future at what some would describe as breakneck speed, Oxford University’s Ian Goldin says we should draw from the past because we’ve been here before. In this podcast, Goldin compares the social division, political extremism and insecurity of the first Age of Discovery in the 15th Century, with what is happening today.

Contributors:

Ian Goldin, founding director of the Oxford Martin School, and Professor of Globalization and Development at Oxford University.

]]>While science and technology propel us into the future at what some would describe as breakneck speed, Oxford University’s Ian Goldin says we should draw from the past because we’ve been here before. In this podcast, Goldin compares the social division, political extremism and insecurity of the first Age of Discovery in the 15th Century, with what is happening today.

Contributors:

Ian Goldin, founding director of the Oxford Martin School, and Professor of Globalization and Development at Oxford University.

]]>12:20cleanChristine Lagarde: Millennials and the Future of WorkWed, 31 May 2017 15:56:00 +0000While millions of young people enter the labor market every year, the chance of landing a traditional full-time job with benefits are getting slim. Global youth unemployment is on the rise and many young people are opting to work in what’s known as the sharing economy. In this podcast, IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde shares her thoughts about policies that might help today’s youth better adapt to the changing nature of work.

]]>While millions of young people enter the labor market every year, the chance of landing a traditional full-time job with benefits are getting slim. Global youth unemployment is on the rise and many young people are opting to work in what’s known as the sharing economy. In this podcast, IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde shares her thoughts about policies that might help today’s youth better adapt to the changing nature of work.

]]>15:55cleanMohamed El-Erian: New Life for the SDR?Fri, 26 May 2017 14:58:49 +0000The IMF’s Special Drawing Rights have failed to gain real traction in the international monetary system, but Mohamed El-Erian, Chief Economic Advisor at Allianz and former IMF Deputy Director, believes a greater role for the SDR in global markets could help strengthen the world economy.

]]>The IMF’s Special Drawing Rights have failed to gain real traction in the international monetary system, but Mohamed El-Erian, Chief Economic Advisor at Allianz and former IMF Deputy Director, believes a greater role for the SDR in global markets could help strengthen the world economy.

]]>09:22cleanPatrick Murck: The Changing Face of Financial ServicesFri, 12 May 2017 13:06:03 +0000FinTech—or financial technology—is poised to revolutionize how the world does business. It could open new kinds of markets to many more people, but it could also threaten our financial privacy or make illicit financial transactions easier. In this podcast, Fintech expert Patrick Murck describes the coming transformation and its pitfalls.

Contributors:

Patrick Murck, fellow at the Harvard Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society, and a Special Counsel at Cooley LLP.

]]>FinTech—or financial technology—is poised to revolutionize how the world does business. It could open new kinds of markets to many more people, but it could also threaten our financial privacy or make illicit financial transactions easier. In this podcast, Fintech expert Patrick Murck describes the coming transformation and its pitfalls.

Contributors:

Patrick Murck, fellow at the Harvard Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society, and a Special Counsel at Cooley LLP.

]]>16:48cleanSub-Saharan Africa: Restarting the Growth EngineTue, 09 May 2017 08:55:00 +0000The IMF's latest regional economic outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa shows growth has fallen to its lowest level in twenty years. In this podcast, co-author Céline Allard, says while some countries like Senegal and Kenya continue to experience growth rates higher than 6 percent, growth has slowed for two thirds of countries in the region bringing down average growth in 2016 to 1.4 percent.

Contributors: Céline Allard, Head of the Regional Studies Division in the IMF’s African Department

]]>The IMF's latest regional economic outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa shows growth has fallen to its lowest level in twenty years. In this podcast, co-author Céline Allard, says while some countries like Senegal and Kenya continue to experience growth rates higher than 6 percent, growth has slowed for two thirds of countries in the region bringing down average growth in 2016 to 1.4 percent.

Contributors: Céline Allard, Head of the Regional Studies Division in the IMF’s African Department

]]>13:09cleanHal Varian: The Productivity ParadoxFri, 28 Apr 2017 15:52:40 +0000The labor force 30 years from now will look very different as working-age populations in advanced economies start to shrink. While some today worry they’ll lose their jobs to robots, economists like Google’s Hal Varian, wonder if technology will boost productivity enough to compensate for the shifting demographics. Varian, and Harvard’s David Canning, discussed the topic during an IMF World-Bank Spring Meetings seminar earlier this month.

]]>The labor force 30 years from now will look very different as working-age populations in advanced economies start to shrink. While some today worry they’ll lose their jobs to robots, economists like Google’s Hal Varian, wonder if technology will boost productivity enough to compensate for the shifting demographics. Varian, and Harvard’s David Canning, discussed the topic during an IMF World-Bank Spring Meetings seminar earlier this month.

]]>04:29cleanBank Capital: How Much is Enough?Fri, 14 Apr 2017 16:10:11 +0000The 2008 global financial crisis exposed the vulnerability of banks that do not hold enough capital. The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision has since revised capital requirements for banks. In this podcast, we ask IMF economist Lev Ratnovski, how much capital banks need to hold to avert another crisis.

Contributors:

Lev Ratnovski, Senior Economist in the IMF’s Research Department.

]]>The 2008 global financial crisis exposed the vulnerability of banks that do not hold enough capital. The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision has since revised capital requirements for banks. In this podcast, we ask IMF economist Lev Ratnovski, how much capital banks need to hold to avert another crisis.

Contributors:

Lev Ratnovski, Senior Economist in the IMF’s Research Department.

]]>07:08cleanMuna AbuSulayman: Gender Equity in Saudi ArabiaTue, 04 Apr 2017 16:25:14 +0000Muna AbuSulayman, is founder and co-host of the most popular social issues program on Arab television. Kalam Nawaem tackles controversial topics and has been pushing social boundaries in the region for 15 years. In this podcast, AbuSulayman says Arab women should be free to achieve their goals without cultural or economic barriers.

Contributors:

Muna AbuSulayman, Co-founder of Meedan.com, a news hub for Arab youth and women.

]]>Muna AbuSulayman, is founder and co-host of the most popular social issues program on Arab television. Kalam Nawaem tackles controversial topics and has been pushing social boundaries in the region for 15 years. In this podcast, AbuSulayman says Arab women should be free to achieve their goals without cultural or economic barriers.

Contributors:

Muna AbuSulayman, Co-founder of Meedan.com, a news hub for Arab youth and women.

]]>09:26cleanJohn Evans: Navigating Today’s Labor Market Fri, 24 Mar 2017 18:08:47 +0000Labor unions around the world are having to adapt to a fast changing labor market. John Evans heads the Trade Union Advisory Committee to the OECD, and represents some 65 million organized workers worldwide. In this podcast, Evans says workers are caught in the middle of rapid technological change and slow global growth.

Contributors:

John Evans, General Secretary of the Trade Union Advisory Committee to the OECD.

]]>Labor unions around the world are having to adapt to a fast changing labor market. John Evans heads the Trade Union Advisory Committee to the OECD, and represents some 65 million organized workers worldwide. In this podcast, Evans says workers are caught in the middle of rapid technological change and slow global growth.

Contributors:

John Evans, General Secretary of the Trade Union Advisory Committee to the OECD.

]]>11:34cleanJamie Drummond: Invest in Africa or ElseWed, 15 Mar 2017 16:06:29 +0000As the Group of Twenty finance ministers and central bank governors meet in Germany this week, policymakers are looking at ways to increase investment in Africa. ONE Campaign’s Jamie Drummond says investing into the education, employment and empowerment of this generation of Africans will help create jobs and curb migration into Europe.

]]>As the Group of Twenty finance ministers and central bank governors meet in Germany this week, policymakers are looking at ways to increase investment in Africa. ONE Campaign’s Jamie Drummond says investing into the education, employment and empowerment of this generation of Africans will help create jobs and curb migration into Europe.

]]>13:21cleanHilma Mote: Africa Must Make Women a PriorityWed, 08 Mar 2017 15:33:25 +0000Global trade union leaders gathered at the IMF in February to discuss how workers are being impacted by the changing global economy. In this podcast, Hilma Mote, of the African Region’s International Trade Union Confederation talks about the challenges African youth, especially women are facing with the continent’s rapidly growing labor force.

Contributors:

Hilma Mote, Executive Director of the Africa Labor research and education Institute, ITUC-Africa.

]]>Global trade union leaders gathered at the IMF in February to discuss how workers are being impacted by the changing global economy. In this podcast, Hilma Mote, of the African Region’s International Trade Union Confederation talks about the challenges African youth, especially women are facing with the continent’s rapidly growing labor force.

Contributors:

Hilma Mote, Executive Director of the Africa Labor research and education Institute, ITUC-Africa.

]]>09:28cleanEric Hanushek: More One Knows, Faster One GrowsFri, 03 Mar 2017 16:07:25 +0000There is a strong connection between human capital and economic growth, and in this podcast, Eric Hanushek says societies that invest a lot in the cognitive skills of their people grow significantly faster. Hanushek studies the relationship between education policy and economic outcomes at Stanford University.

]]>There is a strong connection between human capital and economic growth, and in this podcast, Eric Hanushek says societies that invest a lot in the cognitive skills of their people grow significantly faster. Hanushek studies the relationship between education policy and economic outcomes at Stanford University.

]]>10:03cleanAlec Ross on The Industries of the FutureFri, 24 Feb 2017 15:32:58 +0000In this podcast we speak with author Alec Ross about his new book The Industries of the Future. Ross says 90 percent of the world’s data has been produced in the last two years, so those businesses that own or harvest a meaning from all this data will be leading the pack. Ross has served as Senior Advisor for Innovation to the US Secretary of State.

Contributors:

Alec Ross, Distinguished Senior Fellow at Johns Hopkins University.

]]>In this podcast we speak with author Alec Ross about his new book The Industries of the Future. Ross says 90 percent of the world’s data has been produced in the last two years, so those businesses that own or harvest a meaning from all this data will be leading the pack. Ross has served as Senior Advisor for Innovation to the US Secretary of State.

Contributors:

Alec Ross, Distinguished Senior Fellow at Johns Hopkins University.

]]>07:52cleanSharan Burrow, on Regaining TrustFri, 17 Feb 2017 15:34:04 +0000Every two years, the IMF and World-Bank invites global labor union leaders to discuss the global economy and the implications for the labor force. In this podcast, Sharan Burrow, head of the world’s largest trade union federation, says collective action is needed to help better distribute the benefits of growth, if institutions are to regain trust from working people.

Contributors:

Sharan Burrow, General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation.

]]>Every two years, the IMF and World-Bank invites global labor union leaders to discuss the global economy and the implications for the labor force. In this podcast, Sharan Burrow, head of the world’s largest trade union federation, says collective action is needed to help better distribute the benefits of growth, if institutions are to regain trust from working people.

Contributors:

Sharan Burrow, General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation.

]]>12:24cleanBarry Eichengreen: Asia’s Ascent and the Global Monetary SystemWed, 08 Feb 2017 18:17:23 +0000With Asia’s recent growth comes a growing responsibility within the global economy. In this podcast, Barry Eichengreen, Professor of Political Science at the University of California, Berkeley, breaks down the weight of that responsibility and how Asia can rise to fulfill it.

Contributors:

Barry Eichengreen, George C. Pardee and Helen N. Pardee Professor of Economics and Professor of Political Science at the University of California, Berkeley.

]]>With Asia’s recent growth comes a growing responsibility within the global economy. In this podcast, Barry Eichengreen, Professor of Political Science at the University of California, Berkeley, breaks down the weight of that responsibility and how Asia can rise to fulfill it.

Contributors:

Barry Eichengreen, George C. Pardee and Helen N. Pardee Professor of Economics and Professor of Political Science at the University of California, Berkeley.

]]>07:26cleanMining for Revenues: Alexandra Readhead on Transfer PricingTue, 31 Jan 2017 17:01:52 +0000While many African countries have enjoyed significant revenues from the mining industry in recent years, a new study published by the Natural Resource Governance Institute suggests tax revenues from mining could be much higher if transfer pricing rules were enforced. In this podcast, we speak with the report’s author Alexandra Readhead.

]]>While many African countries have enjoyed significant revenues from the mining industry in recent years, a new study published by the Natural Resource Governance Institute suggests tax revenues from mining could be much higher if transfer pricing rules were enforced. In this podcast, we speak with the report’s author Alexandra Readhead.

]]>11:45cleanThe Cost of Corruption for the YoungWed, 18 Jan 2017 22:31:38 +0000Corruption, in its many forms, affects people from every walk of life, in every country. While it does not discriminate based on age, young people are affected by corruption in ways that can follow them throughout their careers. In this podcast, anti-corruption leader Sergejus Muravjovas, talks about the ways in which youth are fighting back.

Contributors:

Sergejus Muravjovas, Executive Director at Transparency International Lithuania and founder of TransparencySchool.org

]]>Corruption, in its many forms, affects people from every walk of life, in every country. While it does not discriminate based on age, young people are affected by corruption in ways that can follow them throughout their careers. In this podcast, anti-corruption leader Sergejus Muravjovas, talks about the ways in which youth are fighting back.

Contributors:

Sergejus Muravjovas, Executive Director at Transparency International Lithuania and founder of TransparencySchool.org

]]>08:37cleanThomas Friedman on Warp Speed Digital GlobalizationWed, 11 Jan 2017 16:49:58 +0000New York Times columnist and best-selling author Thomas Friedman, says our lives are being transformed in so many realms at once- it’s dizzying. In this podcast, Friedman talks about his new book, Thank You for Being Late, An Optimist’s Guide to Thriving in the Age of Accelerations.

Contributors:

Thomas Friedman, New York Times columnist and best-selling author.

]]>New York Times columnist and best-selling author Thomas Friedman, says our lives are being transformed in so many realms at once- it’s dizzying. In this podcast, Friedman talks about his new book, Thank You for Being Late, An Optimist’s Guide to Thriving in the Age of Accelerations.

Contributors:

Thomas Friedman, New York Times columnist and best-selling author.

]]>11:35cleanJulie Delahanty on Gender-Conscious Budgets Thu, 05 Jan 2017 17:12:59 +0000Julie Delahanty has done extensive work on the disenfranchisement of women due to the lack of equal opportunity. Delahanty is the Executive Director of Oxfam Canada, and joined a panel discussion during the IMF conference on Reducing the Gender Gap. In this podcast, Delahanty says vulnerable women are the most negatively affected by rising inequality.

Contributors:

Julie Delahanty, Executive Director of Oxfam Canada

]]>Julie Delahanty has done extensive work on the disenfranchisement of women due to the lack of equal opportunity. Delahanty is the Executive Director of Oxfam Canada, and joined a panel discussion during the IMF conference on Reducing the Gender Gap. In this podcast, Delahanty says vulnerable women are the most negatively affected by rising inequality.

Contributors:

Julie Delahanty, Executive Director of Oxfam Canada

]]>11:54cleanDouglas Irwin on Trade: Reality vs PerceptionFri, 16 Dec 2016 21:03:17 +0000Who benefits from free trade and who doesn’t? The realities don’t always match people’s perceptions. In this podcast, economist and free trade expert Douglas Irwin addresses some of the controversies. Irwin participated in a seminar entitled Making Trade an Engine of Growth for All at this year’s IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings.

Contributors:

Douglas Irwin, John Sloan Dickey Third Century Professor in Social Sciences in the Department of Economics at Dartmouth College

]]>Who benefits from free trade and who doesn’t? The realities don’t always match people’s perceptions. In this podcast, economist and free trade expert Douglas Irwin addresses some of the controversies. Irwin participated in a seminar entitled Making Trade an Engine of Growth for All at this year’s IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings.

Contributors:

Douglas Irwin, John Sloan Dickey Third Century Professor in Social Sciences in the Department of Economics at Dartmouth College

]]>10:27cleanRavi Kanbur: Political Dimensions of Data and StatisticsFri, 09 Dec 2016 19:42:40 +0000Ravi Kanbur says statistics are fundamentally political in nature and in import. Kanbur is Professor of Economics at Cornell University and gave the keynote speech at the Fourth IMF Statistical forum on Statistics for Inclusive Growth, held in November 2016. In this podcast, Kanbur says data doesn’t always reflect reality when it comes to poverty and inequality.

Contributors:

Ravi Kanbur: T. H. Lee Professor of World Affairs and Professor of Economics at Cornell University.

]]>Ravi Kanbur says statistics are fundamentally political in nature and in import. Kanbur is Professor of Economics at Cornell University and gave the keynote speech at the Fourth IMF Statistical forum on Statistics for Inclusive Growth, held in November 2016. In this podcast, Kanbur says data doesn’t always reflect reality when it comes to poverty and inequality.

Contributors:

Ravi Kanbur: T. H. Lee Professor of World Affairs and Professor of Economics at Cornell University.

]]>13:34cleanHarold James on Globalization: New Concept Old RealityWed, 30 Nov 2016 16:45:00 +0000Globalization is a recent term, but the internationalization of markets, people, ideas, and cultures is nothing new. In this podcast, IMF historian Harold James, talks about how the past might help guide us into the future. James is Professor of History and International Affairs at Princeton University, and author of New Concept Old Reality published in the December 2016 edition of Finance and Development magazine.

Contributors:

Harold James, Professor of History and International Affairs at Princeton University and IMF Historian

]]>Globalization is a recent term, but the internationalization of markets, people, ideas, and cultures is nothing new. In this podcast, IMF historian Harold James, talks about how the past might help guide us into the future. James is Professor of History and International Affairs at Princeton University, and author of New Concept Old Reality published in the December 2016 edition of Finance and Development magazine.

Contributors:

Harold James, Professor of History and International Affairs at Princeton University and IMF Historian

]]>12:08cleanEsther Duflo: Poverty Not Only Lack of MoneyThu, 17 Nov 2016 20:07:20 +0000Esther Duflo, Professor of Development Economics at MIT, co-founded The Poverty Lab to find innovative approaches to poverty alleviation. In this podcast, Duflo says all economic and social dimensions of poverty must be considered in order to effectively address the problem. Duflo presented the 2016 Richard Goode lecture at the IMF earlier this month.

Contributors:

Esther Duflo: Abdul Latif Jameel Professor of Poverty Alleviation and Development Economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

]]>Esther Duflo, Professor of Development Economics at MIT, co-founded The Poverty Lab to find innovative approaches to poverty alleviation. In this podcast, Duflo says all economic and social dimensions of poverty must be considered in order to effectively address the problem. Duflo presented the 2016 Richard Goode lecture at the IMF earlier this month.

Contributors:

Esther Duflo: Abdul Latif Jameel Professor of Poverty Alleviation and Development Economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

]]>12:04cleanThe Economics of Natural Disasters in Sub-Saharan AfricaWed, 16 Nov 2016 16:01:49 +0000The IMF’s latest Regional Economic Outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa dedicates an entire chapter on what a drought, an earthquake or a pandemic can do to a country’s economy. In this podcast, lead authors Marshall Mills and Vimal Thakoor say natural disasters have a much bigger impact in sub-Saharan Africa than any other region.

]]>The IMF’s latest Regional Economic Outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa dedicates an entire chapter on what a drought, an earthquake or a pandemic can do to a country’s economy. In this podcast, lead authors Marshall Mills and Vimal Thakoor say natural disasters have a much bigger impact in sub-Saharan Africa than any other region.

]]>12:09cleanNyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda: Make Economies Work for Women Mon, 07 Nov 2016 17:02:39 +0000While the benefits of expanding women’s participation in the economy are clear, women around the globe continue to face barriers. In this podcast, Action Aid’s Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda says women bear a disproportionate responsibility for unpaid care work, and ill-thought-out policies often add to that burden. Gumbonzvanda joined a panel on Making Macroeconomics Work for Women at the IMF World-Bank Annual Meetings.

Contributors:

Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, International Board Chair for Action Aid

]]>While the benefits of expanding women’s participation in the economy are clear, women around the globe continue to face barriers. In this podcast, Action Aid’s Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda says women bear a disproportionate responsibility for unpaid care work, and ill-thought-out policies often add to that burden. Gumbonzvanda joined a panel on Making Macroeconomics Work for Women at the IMF World-Bank Annual Meetings.

Contributors:

Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, International Board Chair for Action Aid

]]>13:49cleanOne-on-One with Christine Lagarde, Featuring Michael Lewis Wed, 02 Nov 2016 20:32:07 +0000In this podcast, IMF Managing Director, Christine Lagarde, and best-selling author Michael Lewis (The Big Short), reflect on lessons learned from the financial crisis and other issues facing the world economy. The discussion took place before a live audience during the IMF World-Bank Annual meetings last month.

Contributors:

Christine Lagarde: IMF Managing Director.

Michael Lewis: Author, columnist and financial journalist.

]]>In this podcast, IMF Managing Director, Christine Lagarde, and best-selling author Michael Lewis (The Big Short), reflect on lessons learned from the financial crisis and other issues facing the world economy. The discussion took place before a live audience during the IMF World-Bank Annual meetings last month.

]]>The IMF's latest regional economic outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa shows growth at its lowest level in more than 20 years. But in this podcast, the African Department’s new Director, Abebe Aemro Selassie, says it’s a mixed story of struggling oil-exporters and strong performers.

]]>04:13cleanGhana: IMF Approves Third $116.2m DisbursementFri, 30 Sep 2016 22:08:02 +0000Ghana’s economy—once a model for growth in West Africa, took a turn for the worse in 2012. It’s been getting help from the IMF under a 3-year program known as the Extended Credit Facility. The IMF board has approved another US$116m, and under the arrangement Ghana could receive more than US$900m if all targets are met. In this podcast, Joël Toujas-Bernaté, IMF mission chief for Ghana, says the country is making good progress.

Contributors:

Joël Toujas-Bernaté, IMF Mission Chief for Ghana

]]>Ghana’s economy—once a model for growth in West Africa, took a turn for the worse in 2012. It’s been getting help from the IMF under a 3-year program known as the Extended Credit Facility. The IMF board has approved another US$116m, and under the arrangement Ghana could receive more than US$900m if all targets are met. In this podcast, Joël Toujas-Bernaté, IMF mission chief for Ghana, says the country is making good progress.

Contributors:

Joël Toujas-Bernaté, IMF Mission Chief for Ghana

]]>10:35cleanEthiopia: Drought, Low Commodities Dampen GrowthThu, 29 Sep 2016 21:47:34 +0000While Ethiopia has been experiencing strong growth since the early 2000s, the IMF’s latest review of the country’s economy says low commodity prices and a drought have put growth levels well below 10 percent for the first time in a decade. In this podcast, we speak with Julio Escolano, IMF Mission Chief for Ethiopia, who oversaw the writing of the report.

Contributors:

Julio Escolano, IMF Mission Chief for Ethiopia.

]]>While Ethiopia has been experiencing strong growth since the early 2000s, the IMF’s latest review of the country’s economy says low commodity prices and a drought have put growth levels well below 10 percent for the first time in a decade. In this podcast, we speak with Julio Escolano, IMF Mission Chief for Ethiopia, who oversaw the writing of the report.

Contributors:

Julio Escolano, IMF Mission Chief for Ethiopia.

]]>11:23cleanRefugee Crisis Global Challenge, Kyung-wha KangThu, 15 Sep 2016 17:04:52 +0000More than 1 million migrants and refugees made their way to Europe last year, 350K from Syria alone. A recent IMF study says people fleeing conflict areas in the Middle-East and North Africa has brought about the biggest refugee crisis since World War 2. In this podcast, the UN’s Kyung-Wha Kang says the 1951 UN convention for refugees is no longer enough.

Contributors:

Kyung-Wha Kang, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator at the United Nations.

]]>More than 1 million migrants and refugees made their way to Europe last year, 350K from Syria alone. A recent IMF study says people fleeing conflict areas in the Middle-East and North Africa has brought about the biggest refugee crisis since World War 2. In this podcast, the UN’s Kyung-Wha Kang says the 1951 UN convention for refugees is no longer enough.

Contributors:

Kyung-Wha Kang, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator at the United Nations.

]]>06:34cleanCreative Industries a Development OpportunityFri, 09 Sep 2016 21:40:58 +0000The United Nations estimates the global creative economy in 2011 generated more than $600 billion. In this podcast we speak with Patrick Kabanda, who says a country’s cultural wealth presents a huge development opportunity. Kabanda is author of Music Going for a Song published in the September 2016 edition of Finance & Development Magazine.

Contributors:

Patrick Kabanda, Consultant for the office of the Senior Vice President and Chief Economist at the World Bank

]]>The United Nations estimates the global creative economy in 2011 generated more than $600 billion. In this podcast we speak with Patrick Kabanda, who says a country’s cultural wealth presents a huge development opportunity. Kabanda is author of Music Going for a Song published in the September 2016 edition of Finance & Development Magazine.

Contributors:

Patrick Kabanda, Consultant for the office of the Senior Vice President and Chief Economist at the World Bank

]]>10:02cleanRobots, Growth, and InequalityWed, 31 Aug 2016 15:50:00 +0000As robotic technology becomes more sophisticated, robots could soon become perfect substitutes for human labor. In this podcast, IMF economist Andy Berg says the robot revolution could lead to greater inequality. Berg is coauthor of Robots, Growth, and Inequality published in the September 2016 edition of Finance & Development Magazine.

Contributors:

Andy Berg, Deputy Director of the IMF’s Institute for Capacity Development

]]>As robotic technology becomes more sophisticated, robots could soon become perfect substitutes for human labor. In this podcast, IMF economist Andy Berg says the robot revolution could lead to greater inequality. Berg is coauthor of Robots, Growth, and Inequality published in the September 2016 edition of Finance & Development Magazine.

Contributors:

Andy Berg, Deputy Director of the IMF’s Institute for Capacity Development

]]>12:46cleanKlaus Rudischhauser on Taxes and DevelopmentFri, 26 Aug 2016 19:44:17 +0000Taxes are what governments rely on to provide the public goods and services that support economic growth. In this podcast, DG DEVCO’s Klaus Rudischhauser, says some countries with millions of inhabitants have only a few hundred tax payers. Rudischhauser participated in a Spring Meeting’s seminar on Capacity Development entitled Collect More & Spend Better

Contributors:

Klaus Rudischhauser, Deputy Director-General of the European Commission’s International Cooperation and Development (DG DEVCO)

]]>Taxes are what governments rely on to provide the public goods and services that support economic growth. In this podcast, DG DEVCO’s Klaus Rudischhauser, says some countries with millions of inhabitants have only a few hundred tax payers. Rudischhauser participated in a Spring Meeting’s seminar on Capacity Development entitled Collect More & Spend Better

Contributors:

Klaus Rudischhauser, Deputy Director-General of the European Commission’s International Cooperation and Development (DG DEVCO)

]]>08:35cleanMadagascar Gets a BoostFri, 19 Aug 2016 19:17:28 +0000The IMF says Madagascar has built a good track record since it’s reengagement in 2014, showing the country is capable of sustaining recent reforms that have improved its economic outlook. In this podcast, Mission Chief, Marshall Mills talks about a new IMF program for Madagascar that includes US$ 310 million over three years.

Contributors:

Marshall Mills, IMF Mission Chief for Madagascar

]]>The IMF says Madagascar has built a good track record since it’s reengagement in 2014, showing the country is capable of sustaining recent reforms that have improved its economic outlook. In this podcast, Mission Chief, Marshall Mills talks about a new IMF program for Madagascar that includes US$ 310 million over three years.

Contributors:

Marshall Mills, IMF Mission Chief for Madagascar

]]>09:05cleanPoor Economics with Abhijit Banerjee Fri, 12 Aug 2016 14:33:37 +0000Abhijit Banerjee, has worked in dozens of countries trying to better understand the economics of poverty. He argues anti-poverty policies often fail because of inadequate understanding of the decisions poor people make. Banerjee Participated in a seminar on Sustainable Economic Development during the IMF World-Bank Spring meetings. In this podcast, we discuss why so little is known about a billion poor people in the world.

]]>Abhijit Banerjee, has worked in dozens of countries trying to better understand the economics of poverty. He argues anti-poverty policies often fail because of inadequate understanding of the decisions poor people make. Banerjee Participated in a seminar on Sustainable Economic Development during the IMF World-Bank Spring meetings. In this podcast, we discuss why so little is known about a billion poor people in the world.

]]>10:12cleanWinnie Byanyima on Women in Global EconomyThu, 28 Jul 2016 17:53:02 +0000It’s vital to address the economic challenges of women and girls in order to fix the economic challenges of nations. This was the main theme of a seminar called Getting Down to Business: Women, Work, and the Global Economy, held during the IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings. In this podcast, Oxfam International’s Winnie Byanyima talks about the increasing statistical evidence that shows women's contributions to the global economy are invaluable.

Contributors:

Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of Oxfam International

]]>It’s vital to address the economic challenges of women and girls in order to fix the economic challenges of nations. This was the main theme of a seminar called Getting Down to Business: Women, Work, and the Global Economy, held during the IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings. In this podcast, Oxfam International’s Winnie Byanyima talks about the increasing statistical evidence that shows women's contributions to the global economy are invaluable.

Contributors:

Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of Oxfam International

]]>08:52cleanCurrency and Power with Benjamin CohenFri, 22 Jul 2016 21:39:40 +0000Monetary rivalry is a fact of life in the world economy, says Benjamin Cohen, professor of International Political Economy at the University of California and author of Currency Power: Understanding Monetary Rivalry. In this podcast, Cohen explains why currencies become internationalized, and examines the relationship between world currencies and State power.

Contributors:

Benjamin Cohen, Professor of International Political Economy at the University of California

]]>Monetary rivalry is a fact of life in the world economy, says Benjamin Cohen, professor of International Political Economy at the University of California and author of Currency Power: Understanding Monetary Rivalry. In this podcast, Cohen explains why currencies become internationalized, and examines the relationship between world currencies and State power.

Contributors:

Benjamin Cohen, Professor of International Political Economy at the University of California

]]>11:05cleanSouth Africa: Urgent Need for Policy ReformsWed, 06 Jul 2016 20:37:34 +0000South Africa faces significant challenges and needs decisive action to revive growth, the IMF said in its latest economic review. While the report acknowledges considerable economic and social progress, it shows income inequality and unemployment are unacceptably high. In this podcast, we speak with Laura Papi, IMF Mission Chief for South Africa.

Contributors:

Laura Papi, IMF Mission Chief for South Africa

]]>South Africa faces significant challenges and needs decisive action to revive growth, the IMF said in its latest economic review. While the report acknowledges considerable economic and social progress, it shows income inequality and unemployment are unacceptably high. In this podcast, we speak with Laura Papi, IMF Mission Chief for South Africa.

Contributors:

Laura Papi, IMF Mission Chief for South Africa

]]>08:11cleanWhen Global Banks Become Less GlobalThu, 30 Jun 2016 19:33:34 +0000Many of the world’s bigger banks are reevaluating their relationships with banks in smaller riskier countries, making it harder for businesses and people to move money across borders. The process is commonly known as De-Risking. IMF Staff have recently published a research paper entitled The Withdrawal of Correspondent Banking Relationships. In this podcast, we speak with coauthor Yan Liu.

Contributors:

Yan Liu, Assistant General Counsel in the IMF’s legal Department.

]]>Many of the world’s bigger banks are reevaluating their relationships with banks in smaller riskier countries, making it harder for businesses and people to move money across borders. The process is commonly known as De-Risking. IMF Staff have recently published a research paper entitled The Withdrawal of Correspondent Banking Relationships. In this podcast, we speak with coauthor Yan Liu.

Contributors:

Yan Liu, Assistant General Counsel in the IMF’s legal Department.

]]>09:44cleanIan Bremmer, on Geopolitics of Refugee Crisis Fri, 17 Jun 2016 17:46:33 +0000Europe is struggling to cope with millions of asylum seekers from conflict zones in the Middle East. In this podcast, Ian Bremmer, president of the global political risk research firm Eurasia Group, says the biggest challenges behind the refugee crisis are more political than economic. Bremmer participated in a seminar entitled Conflicts and the Refugee Crisis: An International Call for Action at the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings in April.

Contributors:

Ian Bremmer, President and Founder of Eurasia Group, a global political risk research and consulting firm.

]]>Europe is struggling to cope with millions of asylum seekers from conflict zones in the Middle East. In this podcast, Ian Bremmer, president of the global political risk research firm Eurasia Group, says the biggest challenges behind the refugee crisis are more political than economic. Bremmer participated in a seminar entitled Conflicts and the Refugee Crisis: An International Call for Action at the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings in April.

Contributors:

Ian Bremmer, President and Founder of Eurasia Group, a global political risk research and consulting firm.

]]>12:08cleanCollect More - Spend Better, Eric PostelThu, 09 Jun 2016 17:12:12 +0000Billions of uncollected tax dollars in developing countries could be used to lift more people out of poverty. In this podcast, Eric Postel, USAID’s Associate Administrator explains how redoubled efforts to improve tax systems worldwide are making a difference. Postel participated in seminar entitled Collect More & Spend Better at the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings in April.

Contributors:

Eric Postel, Associate Administrator at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)

]]>Billions of uncollected tax dollars in developing countries could be used to lift more people out of poverty. In this podcast, Eric Postel, USAID’s Associate Administrator explains how redoubled efforts to improve tax systems worldwide are making a difference. Postel participated in seminar entitled Collect More & Spend Better at the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings in April.

Contributors:

Eric Postel, Associate Administrator at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)

]]>08:30cleanSteven Radelet, Africa’s Rise—Interrupted?Fri, 03 Jun 2016 14:53:55 +0000If high commodity prices alone drove recent advances in Africa, the prospects for further gains seem dim. But in this podcast, Steven Radelet, says the reality is more complex, and the outlook is more varied than many now suggest. Radelet’s article, Africa’s Rise- Interrupted? is published in the June 2016 issue of Finance and Development magazine.

Contributors:

Steven Radelet, holds the Donald F. McHenry Chair in Global Human Development, and is Director of the Global Human Development Program at Georgetown University’s Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service.

]]>If high commodity prices alone drove recent advances in Africa, the prospects for further gains seem dim. But in this podcast, Steven Radelet, says the reality is more complex, and the outlook is more varied than many now suggest. Radelet’s article, Africa’s Rise- Interrupted? is published in the June 2016 issue of Finance and Development magazine.

Contributors:

Steven Radelet, holds the Donald F. McHenry Chair in Global Human Development, and is Director of the Global Human Development Program at Georgetown University’s Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service.

]]>12:09cleanA Fork in the Road, China’s Relationship with AfricaThu, 26 May 2016 14:27:19 +0000Slumping Chinese demand has African economies scrambling to find alternate sources of revenue. In this podcast, we speak with Roger Nord, Deputy Director of the African Department in the IMF, and coauthor of A Fork in the Road, published in the June 2016 issue of Finance and Development magazine.

Contributors:

Roger Nord, IMF Deputy Director, African Department

]]>Slumping Chinese demand has African economies scrambling to find alternate sources of revenue. In this podcast, we speak with Roger Nord, Deputy Director of the African Department in the IMF, and coauthor of A Fork in the Road, published in the June 2016 issue of Finance and Development magazine.

Contributors:

Roger Nord, IMF Deputy Director, African Department

]]>08:38cleanRefugee Crisis Taking Toll on Jordan, Imad FakhouryFri, 20 May 2016 14:07:40 +0000Of the 5 million people fleeing civil war in Syria, more than a million have ended up in Jordan. The refugee crisis has hit host countries like Jordan hard. Imad Fakhoury, Jordan’s minister of planning, joined a seminar about Conflicts and the Refugee Crisis, at the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings. In this podcast, Fakhoury talks about the impacts of the refugee crisis on Jordan.

Contributors:

Imad Fakhoury, Jordan’s Minister of Planning and International Cooperation

]]>Of the 5 million people fleeing civil war in Syria, more than a million have ended up in Jordan. The refugee crisis has hit host countries like Jordan hard. Imad Fakhoury, Jordan’s minister of planning, joined a seminar about Conflicts and the Refugee Crisis, at the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings. In this podcast, Fakhoury talks about the impacts of the refugee crisis on Jordan.

Contributors:

Imad Fakhoury, Jordan’s Minister of Planning and International Cooperation

]]>10:30cleanKemi Adeosun, on Nigeria’s Dwindling Oil RevenuesFri, 13 May 2016 16:07:55 +0000As Nigeria’s Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun is charged with navigating Africa’s largest oil producer through the biggest oil price slump in decades. In this podcast, Adeosun talks about the need to diversify government revenues, and how inclusive growth can stem rising insecurity. Adeosun joined a panel discussion about sub-Saharan Africa during the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings.

Contributors:

Kemi Adeosun, Nigeria’s Finance Minister

]]>As Nigeria’s Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun is charged with navigating Africa’s largest oil producer through the biggest oil price slump in decades. In this podcast, Adeosun talks about the need to diversify government revenues, and how inclusive growth can stem rising insecurity. Adeosun joined a panel discussion about sub-Saharan Africa during the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings.

Contributors: Céline Allard, Head of the Regional StudiesDivision in the IMF’s African Department

]]>The IMF's latest regional economic outlook for Sub-SaharanAfrica predicts a second difficult year as the region is hit bymultiple shocks. In this podcast, co-author Céline Allard, says thesteep decline in commodity prices and tighter financing conditionshave put many large economies under severe strain.

Contributors: Céline Allard, Head of the Regional StudiesDivision in the IMF’s African Department

]]>11:36cleanRaghuram Rajan, on the Global Financial Safety NetWed, 27 Apr 2016 20:28:54 +0000In this Podcast, we speak with Raghu Rajan, India’s central bank
governor about the Global Financial Safety Net. Rajan is charged
with securing monetary stability in one of the world’s largest
Emerging Market economies, at a time when others are stumbling in
the face of difficult global economic trends. Rajan participated in
a seminar entitled
Fortifying the Global Financial Safety Net, during the
IMF-World Bank Spring meetings.

Contributors: Raghuram Rajan, Governor of the Reserve Bank of
India

]]>In this Podcast, we speak with Raghu Rajan, India’s central bank
governor about the Global Financial Safety Net. Rajan is charged
with securing monetary stability in one of the world’s largest
Emerging Market economies, at a time when others are stumbling in
the face of difficult global economic trends. Rajan participated in
a seminar entitled
Fortifying the Global Financial Safety Net, during the
IMF-World Bank Spring meetings.

]]>The new World Economic Outlook anticipates a slight acceleration in growth this year, from 3.1 to 3.2 percent, followed by 3.5 percent growth in 2017. But IMF Chief Economist Maurice Obstfeld says projections continue to be progressively less optimistic over time.

Contributors:

Maurice Obstfeld, IMF Chief Economic Counselor

]]>05:31noPublic Investment Payoff Not Necessarily About EfficiencyFri, 01 Apr 2016 13:21:20 +0000While many economists would argue public investment projects in highly efficient countries have a greater impact on growth, recent research by some IMF economists shows that’s not necessarily the case. In this podcast we speak with the IMF’s Andy Berg, who suggests the impact on growth from public investment spending is similar in both high and low-efficiency countries.

Contributors:

Andy Berg, a Deputy Director in the IMF’s Institute for Capacity Development

]]>While many economists would argue public investment projects in highly efficient countries have a greater impact on growth, recent research by some IMF economists shows that’s not necessarily the case. In this podcast we speak with the IMF’s Andy Berg, who suggests the impact on growth from public investment spending is similar in both high and low-efficiency countries.

Contributors:

Andy Berg, a Deputy Director in the IMF’s Institute for Capacity Development

]]>08:54noGabon Hit by Oil Price SlideWed, 16 Mar 2016 19:21:45 +0000The IMF’s most recent review of Gabon’s economy shows it’s been hit hard by the oil price decline. In this podcast, we speak with IMF Mission Chief for Gabon, Montfort Mlachila, who says the country can build resilience and revive growth by diversifying its economy.

Contributors:

Montfort Mlachila, IMF Mission Chief for Gabon

]]>The IMF’s most recent review of Gabon’s economy shows it’s been hit hard by the oil price decline. In this podcast, we speak with IMF Mission Chief for Gabon, Montfort Mlachila, who says the country can build resilience and revive growth by diversifying its economy.

Contributors:

Montfort Mlachila, IMF Mission Chief for Gabon

]]>09:03noLow Skills Low Wages: Eric Maskin on InequalityWed, 16 Mar 2016 15:47:44 +0000While it was widely expected that globalization would reduce inequality, income disparities between skilled and unskilled workers has only increased in recent years. In this podcast we ask Nobel Laureate Eric Maskin, why the global markets haven’t offered better economic opportunities for the world’s poorest.

]]>While it was widely expected that globalization would reduce inequality, income disparities between skilled and unskilled workers has only increased in recent years. In this podcast we ask Nobel Laureate Eric Maskin, why the global markets haven’t offered better economic opportunities for the world’s poorest.

]]>12:24noGender and Opportunity, with Ngozi Okonjo-IwealaTue, 08 Mar 2016 20:44:34 +0000On this International Woman’s Day, we speak with Nigerian economist Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. Best known for her two terms as Nigeria’s Finance Minister and for her work as a Managing Director at the World Bank, Dr. Okonjo Iweala is always looking for ways to help bridge the gender gap.

Contributors:

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala,

]]>On this International Woman’s Day, we speak with Nigerian economist Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. Best known for her two terms as Nigeria’s Finance Minister and for her work as a Managing Director at the World Bank, Dr. Okonjo Iweala is always looking for ways to help bridge the gender gap.

Contributors:

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala,

]]>10:56cleanMigration and the Economics of LanguageMon, 29 Feb 2016 21:52:52 +0000More than a million migrants have entered Europe this year according to the International Organization for Migration. In this podcast, we speak with Professor Barry Chiswick who says language acquisition is key to immigrant success. Chiswick says language skills among immigrants are a form of human capital, and can substantially increase potential earnings.

Contributors:

Barry Chiswick, Professor of Economics and International Affairs at George Washington University

]]>More than a million migrants have entered Europe this year according to the International Organization for Migration. In this podcast, we speak with Professor Barry Chiswick who says language acquisition is key to immigrant success. Chiswick says language skills among immigrants are a form of human capital, and can substantially increase potential earnings.

Contributors:

Barry Chiswick, Professor of Economics and International Affairs at George Washington University